Abigail Adams to John Adams

[dateline] Janry. 15 1781

[salute] My dearest Friend

Capt. Caznew is now just about to sail. I wrote large packets to go by him a month
ago, but hearing Capt. Trash was going from Newbury to Bilboa I sent them by him.
It was thought that Caznew would not sail till Febry.

But all of a suden I am calld upon unprepaird having but an hours warning—he shall
not however go without a line or two. Your last which I have received was by way of
Philadelphia dated in Sepbr. 15.

I see by last weeks paper that a Capt. Updike is arrived at Providence. I fear he
has no Letters for me, as he brings word that the Fame saild the day before him, but
has not yet been heard of. We are Fearfull that she is lost, or taken.—I have written
to you twice since Davis arrived, and told you that he threw over all his dispatches,
being chased, to my great sorrow and mortification. The things however which you were
so kind as to order for me, came safe to hand. I shall be obliged for ought I know
to part with them, to pay taxes, which are beyond account. 20 thousand dollors are
already assessed upon this place for the last year.

I have written to the House of de Neufville for a few articles, which I wrote to you
about by way of Bilboa. I have inclosed them a Bill, and at the same time directed
them to take your orders with regard to them.1

Neither Jones or Sampson have yet reachd America. We have had a moderate winter and
a general Health throughout the State. We are making every Effort to fill up the continential Army, and hope to succeed. Our paper Credit has
kept a steady value for more than 3 months. 75 for one is the rate of exchange. Our
hard Money tax is punctually paid for the redemption of it. I cannot say that the
Money appreciates yet, but it certainly must from the great taxes which are daily
collecting. We now see where our errors lay, but a people must feel to be convinced.

I enclose to you a Letter and resolve of Congress forwarded to me by Mr. L[ovel]l.2 It contains an approbation of more value to you, than a Lucrative reward and it communicates
pleasure to me, in proportion as it is valuable to you, and as it is a testimony,
that your assiduity and attention to the publick Interest is gratefully noticed by
your Country. To Merrit and receive it, is the only compensation I can receive for
the loss I sustain of your society.

The Letter containing remarks upon Lord Gorge Germains Speach, was first published
in Philadelphia and sent me by Mr. L——1. I had it republished here—it is much approved
of. The Enemy lose ground every day in Carolina. The infamous Arnold is gone with
a Number of Troops to Virgina—he was too knowing to come out, as was first talkd of
against New england who to a Man would have risen to have crushd the monster. Whilst
Andry has been lamented by a Generous Enemy Arnold has been execrated by all ranks.

My Love to my dear Sons, there Letters by Davis I mourn the loss of. I designd to
have written to them by this vessel but fear I shall not have time. I wrote by Trash
to Mr. Thaxter. Our Friends are all well—excuse haste, from your ever affectionate

1. AA's letter to Neufville & Son in Amsterdam was dated this day but has not been found.
It is acknowledged in their reply of 25 May, below.

2. The enclosures were doubtless those transmitted by James Lovell in his letter to AA of 19 Dec. 1780, above; see note 1 there.

Docno: ADMS-04-04-02-0041

Author: Cranch, Richard

Recipient: Adams, John

Date: 1781-01-18

Richard Cranch to John Adams

[dateline] Boston Jany: 18th: 1781

[salute] My dear Friend and Bror.

As there is a Vessell now here bound for Holland by which (if not sooner) you will
doubtless hear various accounts of the Affair that has lately happen'd in the Pensilvania
Line of the Army, I embrace the Oportunity to let you know the true state of that
affair as far as the Genl. Court has been inform'd of it, to prevent your being misled
by false Reports.1 Genl. Knox who left Head Quarters the 5th. Instant arriv'd here Express last Sunday
with Dispatches from Genl. Washington respecting the affairs of the Army, to be laid
before the Genl. Court which is now sitting. He was heard before the two Houses.—His
account of the Matter, as near as I can collect it, was as follows.—The Soldiers of
the Pensilvania Line complained that they were unjustly held to serve during the War,
when they inlisted, as they say, conditionally for three Years or during the War; supposing it left at their Option to leave the Service at the end of three Years
if they pleas'd. They complain'd also that their Wages was near twelve Months behind-hand.
That they were unprovided with sufficient Clothing, and short of Provision. All these
Grievances seem'd to be agravated in their Minds, on seeing the new Recruits, for
filling up the Army, come to Camp with good Clothes and Money in their Pockets (having
received a Bounty of twenty four hard Dollars each) while they themselves, who had
born the Burden and heat of the Day, were neglected. These Discontents were carried
to such a Hight that on the Evening of the first of Jany. Instt. and the Day following,
the greatest part of the non-Commission Officers and Soldiers of the Pensilvania Line,
amounting to about two Thousand, refused to serve any longer in the Army unless their
Grievances were redress'd; and { 66 } seizing six Field Pieces, stood on the Defensive. The Commission Officers and some
of the Men who endeavour'd to quell them, were fir'd upon; one Officer (a Capt.) was
kill'd, and several wounded. Some also of the Insurgents were kill'd. After this they
march'd to Prince-Town where they determined to make a Stand; for the Purpose, as
I conceive, of treating with the Government of Pensilvania about the Redress of their
Grievances.—I cannot find from the best Enquiery that I can make, that the Insurgents
were moved by any Disaffection to the American Cause, or from any formal design of
helping the Enemy, but merely for the Purpose of getting their Grievances removed.

The Genl. Court of this Commonwealth is taking Measures for retrieving the sunk Credit
of this Government; for which purpose we are repealing all Laws making Paper-Money
a Tender at any other Rate than the current Exchange. We are making a Law that all
Debts due from Government shall be liquidated to their just Value, and then to have
Interest allow'd annually in hard Money or Paper equivalent. This, it is expected,
will induce the loaning of Money freely to Government. Besides this we have in contemplation
Imposts and Excises. Without Loans we fear the Taxes will be too heavy to be born,
(without murmuring), by the People at large.

We have received Letters from Mr. Austin informing the Court of the large Advances
made for this Government by Messrs. Deneufville & Sons, and the Court has given Direction
for the immediate purchasing of Bills of Exchange equall to three Thousand Pounds,
to be remitted with a Letter of Thanks to that worthy House for their generous Exertions
in our favour.

I am so hurried with publick Business that I cannot be so particular on our publick
Affairs as I could wish. I must therefore leave some room to tell you that your Hond.
Mother and your Brother are well; Your Dear Lady and Children were well last Sunday
when I pass'd the Evening at your House. Father Smith, Uncles Quincy, Thaxter, Tufts
and Smith are well with their Families.

Please to give my kindest regards to your dear little Boys and to Mr. Thaxter. Mrs.
Cranch and our Children join me in wishing you all the success and Happiness that
the warmest affection can dictate. A Line from you would greatly oblige your Bror.,

[signed] R: Cranch

P.S. Should Messrs: Deneufville & Sons think of making a tryal here in the Commission
way I should be glad to serve them. I find the general advance on European Goods is
three Pounds Sterling here, for what cost one Pound sterling there. Such Articles
as suit the Ladies would be very saleable, also Linnens.